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Locked Out Of Your Ford With A Dead Battery? Try This

If you are locked out of your Ford vehicle with a dead battery and have a keyless entry system, here is how you can get inside.
How to unlock your Ford when the battery is dead.

If you have a Ford vehicle with a keyless entry system you may want to learn this "trick." In the event your vehicle is locked, and then the battery dies, it may be difficult to get into since the fob won't open the power locks. So, in this scenario, how do you enter the vehicle to then open the hood for a jump start?

This scenario played out for Torque News readers Jackie and Eddie, who were away on vacation when it happened. "I looked at that manual for 20 minutes and I could not find anything on this subject," said Eddie to Torque News. The experienced AAA driver also did not know the trick to opening a Ford Edge when the battery is dead.
ford key
As it turns out, the solution is very simple - once you see how it works. The first step is to reveal the metal key by releasing it on the fob. Once that is out, look under the driver's door handle near the rear of that handle. There is a spot into which you can insert that metal key. Now, while pushing the key in, slide the plastic handle section rearward. It will come off. A key cylinder slot is not revealed and you can use the key to turn it and unlock your Ford.

Once you have finished, the plastic part slides back on and clicks into place. For more details, please see the video below. If this story helps you please let us know in the comments below.

Automotive News
Ford

Comments

Steve (not verified)    March 2, 2019 - 11:07AM

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Great article this happened to me with a rental Edge, it appeared dead, not responsive to the key fob unlock button. However it was some kind of electrical glitch. I found the key in the fob but had no idea it was used to first slip the plastic cover off to expose the actual key. Avis tried to charge me for the assistance, frankly if I didn't work for one of Avis's largest clients they would have been successful.

M.Williams (not verified)    December 31, 2019 - 10:02PM

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Who says you can't teach old fart's a new trick. "Appreciate your help" Happy New Year!!
FYI: my name is Ditti, i'm that old fart's friend.

David Malvin (not verified)    May 14, 2020 - 7:36PM

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You video showing how to unlock my Ford Fusion Hybrid was a life saver. If you'll email your address to me, I'd like to send you a check to say thank you. If you are not accepting checks, now, I will make a contribution to Las Vegas food bank in your name to help others in need. Thanks, again.

Jeff Warner (not verified)    May 31, 2020 - 5:05PM

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If the key doesn't work, you're screwed!
AAA can't help and Ford wants a ton of money to send someone to help you.
I hired an auto lock specialist who took several hours to unlock it without damage. $$$$

Steve (not verified)    June 1, 2020 - 9:46AM

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How can the key not work? Do you not have the correct key? and yes getting a key made from Ford is costly, however it can be done simply by sending them the VIN, I've had to do that when my daughter took my keys to basketball practice and left them there.

DaMama (not verified)    June 13, 2020 - 10:44AM

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I used the above info today to find the door lock when the key fob stopped working. Great!! But the manual key does NOT work. This car is only a year old, so this is very frustrating as the car is blocking our driveway.

SteveWin (not verified)    November 5, 2021 - 12:41PM

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On my 2006 Mercury Mountaineer, when the battery was dead, the key into the readily visible lock cylinder would not unlock the door.. because the cylinder is connected to a switch, and the switch needs electricity from the dead battery to actuate the solenoid which actually unlocks the door. And, with the doors locked, there's no way to operate the hood latch lever to get to the battery to jump it. GREAT IDEA, FORD!

Lucky for me, after scratching up the paint around my door to get the coathanger in, pulling the inside door handle opened the door.. soon after, I discovered that the whole problem was that the parts store guy who just replaced my battery, hadn't tightened the terminals enough - my battery wasn't dead, it just wasn't properly connected.

ELSA MIURA (not verified)    June 22, 2020 - 6:52PM

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I have a Mustang 2015 apparently with a dead battery and its locked. I have seen several videos on how to open it, but my control keys only have the battery inside and no metal key. Can somebody help me and tell me how can I open the car_

E Sloan (not verified)    August 15, 2021 - 2:18PM

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If your remote is the pear shaped remote it is in back of fob under Ford logo at the narrow end ther are two striped recesses nip squeeze them in with on hand the panel should lift then lift panel clear with finger nail key is underneath

David Gorris (not verified)    February 13, 2022 - 7:07AM

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I had that issue, on my Escape, I can't get the door handle with wire, finally, I used a long thick wire, bought an inflatable shim air bag for $18 at Home Depot, inserted between door from top of door, and reached the hood release, took about 20 minutes but was able to pop the hood, and then jump the battery for a minute, and then I could use the metal key or press unlock from key fob.

Tod Anthony (not verified)    August 8, 2020 - 6:45PM

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My son's 2014 Ford Fusion manual key will not unlock the door. We discovered this after the battery ran down and needed to use it.

David in Austin (not verified)    August 2, 2021 - 6:17PM

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Someone mentioned a truck. Here is a good trick for a truck or any vehicle with a round trailer plug. Look on the plug. There likely is a code on the seven pin round trailer plug cover. One of the pins goes straight to the battery. You can use a jumper battery to energize the system and then your fob or door keypad will open the vehicle. This got me out of a bind once when I left the key on and locked the door.

Jeff (not verified)    March 4, 2022 - 6:27PM

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Thanks buddy my wife’s car 2020 fusion dead battery could not unlock. Thanks to your simple instructions it was easy to get into car . Thanks again Jeff in Jacksonville Florida

Janet (not verified)    May 31, 2022 - 2:37PM

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Thank You! Our son has his car parked at our house while he is out of the country, and we needed to move it. The fob didn't work, so of course I Googled it. Watched your video and had it open in 30 seconds.
Great info to know since we have several Fords.

Traci P (not verified)    April 30, 2023 - 7:33PM

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My key opened the drivers door - but I could not access the back doors or back hatch(needed my dog’s food from the very back). That doesn’t make sense to me. Anyone notice this or have a solution(not that I will likely run into the same problem with this vehicle).